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Andersonhdj
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 04:51 am: | 
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quote:Problem is we only have ~3 more years now.
Please explain this to a fellow , Non American Bueller ? |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 06:23 am: |
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Please explain this to a fellow , Non American Bueller ?
When HD shut Buell down back in 2009-2010 we were told parts would be available for 7 years. It's getting close now. Contrary to other more optimistic folks. I'm not certain of the parts situation in the future. Whoopie if they are available. Will they be at a price that makes it worthwhile? If they are going to cost at or greater than what BMW parts cost then I might as well go with a BMW. Hell, least I can get a servicing dealership with that. |
Lynrd
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 09:45 am: |
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The motorcycle industry has a thriving aftermarket as well. The end of parts availability from the HD dealers will change the landscape somewhat, but the aftermarket tends to be pretty responsive if there is a demand. |
46champ
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 10:06 am: |
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The more we use the bikes the more support the aftermarket industry will give us if Harley walks away. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 12:13 pm: |
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Uh huh. I'm not holding my breath. I also don't like the idea of being on a trip with it, snapping a belt, blowing a bearing, etc and not having anyway to fix it until it's towed back home and I have to wait until the part arrives. Assuming I can find the damn part at all. |
Andersonhdj
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 12:25 pm: |
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Aaah , i probably missed that one somewhere!
At least it's not a political issue , i don't see that this would be a real problem , i think there's a really committed following that would encourage niche manufacture into the future and besides - who knows what Erik has up his sleeve?? |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 12:58 pm: |
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EBR thus far can not provide us with parts for repairs. Trust me, I know as I hoped they could help me last summer. Nope, wasn't happening. I doubt much will change on that front.
Put it this way. My feelings are strong enough on this that the next bike I'm looking at is the BMW R1200GS or another in the category. Least I will have dealer support if needed. |
Dtaylor
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 - 01:04 pm: |
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I'm not too worried. I'm going to squirrel away an extra one or two each of these proprietary bits: drive belt, clutch cable, front isolator and cooling fan.
I already have a spare brake and shift lever + linkage that I carry on trips.
Most of the other consumables parts (bearings and sensors) are easily cross-referenced to other manufacturers. |
Jetlee
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 11:54 am: |
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Cataract ... what part that you may need is a dealer only item, at this point in time?
I think the only thing I have bought from a dealer lately, was exhaust gaskets. Seeing as those are normally stocked for the EVO twins anyways, they're not going anywhere.
As far as bearings, take your bad bearing into any bearing machine shop and they'll set you up. Considering the XB-Buell's were built with mostly off-the-shelf parts, I don't foresee any parts issues in the future at all.
When there's a need, machinists and engineers on these forums (self included) will figure out how to get what we need. We're not too good to get our hands dirty that we jump ship and buy something else, we figure it out and remedy the situation for ourselves and everyone else.
Go buy your BMW now, I design solutions for the die-hard Bueller.
(Message edited by JetLee on May 22, 2014) |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 12:36 pm: |
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Jet, you missed the other half of my point. How about on a trip. Are you going to personally deliver a bearing to me when one goes? How about the belt? Or how about the ignition coil? Cam position sensor? etc?
I don't have a lot of faith in the parts supply being readily available once the time is up and/or being affordable enough to justify using the bikes beyond local putting around. Sorry if I'm a bit pessimistic, but that is my expectation at this point.
As for your comment regarding buying the BMW. Sounds like you have an issue with that brand.
I've also found many solutions to issues in regards to these bikes. So don't try to play high and mighty in that regard. I keep digging up solutions if/when I need them, but I'm certainly not going to end up playing the "damn it's broke I need to fab/find/dig up a part this weekend or even waiting on whatever I need and ruining a good riding season.
What got me thinking about this was my trip last summer when the belt on my 1125 shot out onto the roadway. I was lucky to have found a dealership in the TN/NC area that had a belt and the local dealer, who wasn't a Buell one in the past, was able to install it and get me on the road. I began to wonder what will happen should something break after the parts are no longer offered from HD. I doubt all will be readily available. I also know you can't guarantee that. I don't need my trips or rides ruined over that. I'm keep my two Buell's, but they will not be the main machines in a few years.
If someone is planning on buying a Buell now, they should be made aware that issues in regards to parts will and are going to arise sooner rather than later.
(Message edited by cataract2 on May 22, 2014) |
Meggadeath
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 01:12 pm: |
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That's kind of the challenge to those of us dedicated to the brand. Some will continue to use their machines as a "daily rider" as others will relegate them to "collectors" status. The same thing happened when many of the "old" companies producing motorcycles went "belly-up". Yet these companies still have a following (and parts supplies). Trying to find parts for for some of the still-existing bikes can also be a chore (getting bits for a boxer engine or a bevel twin is a labor of love). Just like the automobile, if you want to stay "current" then you must sacrifice model loyalty and buy a new version every couple of years. If you like what you have, it takes time, patience, and dedication--almost like a marriage. Belts break (replace it with a chain), bearings wear out (an easy remedy), clutches fail--all common to every machine. If you love it, you keep it and move forward. Just my $.02. |
Jetlee
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 01:36 pm: |
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Cataract, your argument is very poor. When you go on a trip, you're supposed to plan for eventualities. Do you have a spare tire in your car/truck? Do you take water, food and basic tools? Why is the motorcycle any different? You know certain parts are prone to fail, prepare for it, don't act stupid.
What dealer WILL personally bring you a bearing out in the middle of nowhere? None, so why would I? Same goes for the coil and sensor, no one is going to bring you one now, so you still have to get a tow home and order the part. Your local dealer has to order them for you now, in 4 years you'll order it yourself and get it a week quicker.
Belts break, it's a known issue and not only for Buell's. Who doesn't carry an extra belt with them? It's part of my standard tools in my daily pack. If you're not carrying one, shame on you.
How does it sound like I have issue with BMW? Never ridden one, they're sharp looking and spec'd bikes. I'd like to own one, one day. However it looks like it's your backup to your apparently ill-thought-of Buell, so I commented that you should ride one instead.
You act like all parts for Buells will be gone in 3 years, period. When in fact, there are already aftermarket replacements for every part except the frame and swingarm. Dealers are essentially a moot point for parts now-a-days. Most of the available parts can be shipped overnight as well; even ground shipping will get you the part faster than your local dealer, and cheaper.
Anything that is known to catastrophically fail at random, you should already have a spare of. If they can be field-repaired, you should be carrying it with you. If you're not, shame on you.
(Message edited by JetLee on May 22, 2014) |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 01:55 pm: |
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quote:Jet, you missed the other half of my point. How about on a trip. Are you going to personally deliver a bearing to me when one goes? How about the belt? Or how about the ignition coil? Cam position sensor? etc?
What's really funny here is that on any long trip, I actually am carrying spare rear wheel bearings, the rear wheel bearing spacer, a spare crank position sensor, and a spare belt. No spare coil, but coil failures on Buells are pretty rare.
I don't carry them because you can't get those parts, I carry them because where I break is unlikely to be where they are stocked, so it's two or three days down time regardless.
And, for the record, I already figured out how to make my own crank position sensor from electronics parts that would be far cheaper than the Harley part. Which, will always be available regardless, because its the same for a Sportster anyway (except maybe some connectors that can be reused from original). |
Andersonhdj
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 02:59 pm: |
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What makes the argument completely moot is that it could happen to anything from a Riceburner to a Beemer and you'd still be stuck.
Bikes get trucked in for repairs just as cars do.
A Co2 canister , a tyre plug kit and a spare belt with some tools and maybe Reep's list is about all you should need to survive on the road.
(Message edited by andersonhdj on May 22, 2014) |
Lynrd
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 03:03 pm: |
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I( you were able to actually find a dealer with the belt in stock, you were lucky. Just because HD is supposed to make the parts available does not mean that they are stocked at the dealerships. The local dealerships are worthless for anything other than T-shirts and ape hangers for baggers. When I ran a dealership parts department, the criteria for keeping any part on the shelf was a track record of 4 inventory turns a year for one part on the shelf. Otherwise we ordered as needed. This is a pretty common formula in the industry.
I know all dealerships are not as bad as the locals - I really like Newcastle HD and I have never set foot in the building.
The few times I have gone into a local dealership looking for parts quickly - never anything weird - they have needed to order it in. One was a damned clutch cable, and one was a drain plug - these are common parts and should be on the shelf, but were not - even under the HD part number, never mind the Buell #. If it isn't in stock, i will not special order at a dealership - I am money and time ahead at that point just ordering on line.
Since Buell is a dead marque at this point, the future of the marque really rests in the hands of the individual owners within the community, and as much of the aftermarket that establishes for it. American Sport Bike has done a great job in keeping parts available, and Twin really seem to have a vision for what the future can be for this brand. Other vendors will sprout up.
Some riders will not want that sort of experience - understandably. I've always had older stuff and was big into brit bikes in the bad ol' 80s when there just wasn't any dealership network in the states at all...and my stuff was most always running and ridable - it just meant that I maintained my own inventory of parts as needed and had a good network of like minded individuals to help out.
So, I am not worried to be sticking my toe into the XB waters here 4 years after HD terminated the marque - I've had "Dead" stuff or Custom stuff all my life and have always managed to get where I am going and home again.
If Cataract thinks his style of riding fits better with something that is also currently on the floor of the dealership, I guess I can see see the advantages to that as well, if just from a peace of mind standpoint. Owning a dead marque is not for everyone.
But *I* am all for it. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 04:07 pm: |
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I'll state this. I still have and plan on keeping both my XB and 1125R. I just don't see them being the main rides in the future. There will be 2 other bikes in the stable that I KNOW I can always get parts for.
Look at it this way, should you crash, would you be able to get the body panels, frame bits (think tweaked sub frame), headers, or other odds and ends that get messed up in the event? How long will your bike be down? 1 week? 1 month? 1 year? While you are waiting for parts. |
Jetlee
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 04:21 pm: |
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You will always be able to get parts for Buells, that's the point we're making.
Frame damage? Someone will figure out a fix; some have already shown it's possible to repair broken sub-frame mounts. The rest is like patching an aluminum fuel tank...oh wait, that's exactly what it is!
Yes, I will be able to get body panels since they're already available aftermarket.
http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/buell/XB9R-XB1 2R2002-05.htm
A tweaked sub-frame? Tweak it back.
Headers? Are you really trying to make that argument???
Other odds and ends? Name some that aren't already aftermarket or swap parts off another not-dying-anytime-soon motorcycle.
(Message edited by JetLee on May 22, 2014) |
Lynrd
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2014 - 05:12 pm: |
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IF I crash...any bike....I will fix it (probably with used or aftermarket parts) , or part it, or sell it as is, or I am dead and don't give a crap. I do not foresee parts availability being that different no matter what the brand is on the tank....
But as an alternate solution, I will choose not to crash it in the first place. Hopefully the local drivers will coorporate with this plan.
There are parts that will become hard to find - I am sure. Ginchy stuff like those cool beehive valve springs in the Thunderstorm head, or the more unique primary cover - hell, even those craptacular black plastic pushrod covers could be considered "Rare" someday. Some parts the aftermarket will not step up on, I am sure.
So what?
The damn bikes are priced through the floor for what they are. If you are going to buy a GS1200 because of your perception of some impending event three years on the horizon, I am not going to tell you that it isn't a good bike, or wring my hands about what parts availability is going to be like 5 or ten years from now.
But I could buy probably 4.6 Tubers, 3.2 XBs, or 1.4 XBs and .9 1125Rs for the same price - and get more smiles to gallon by a long shot. If one IS down for whatever reason - I have another to shag parts on.
Ride safe, and stay thirsty...
(Message edited by Lynrd on May 22, 2014) |
46champ
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 11:14 am: |
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The only thing that maybe impossible to get are fuel injection parts on the tubers you just convert to a carb. On a XB looks like someone needs to build an adapter to mount a Stromberg 97, or any other 1 barrel carb off an inline 6 from the 60's. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 11:56 am: |
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All the FI components, except for probably just the throttle body and ECM can be obtained from Autozone. Going to a carburetor is just plain wrong.
Also, on Buell.com was a message that they are committed to providing parts for at least 10 years, so it will be 2020 before your bike mysteriously dies. |
Greg_e
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 03:39 pm: |
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Tuber injectors are the same as XB9 from 03, it's a long Bosch injector. Newer than that is a short style which is pretty common in ford and Chevy cars. The fuel pump can be rebuilt from common parts, the hardest thing to get is the shaft for the throttle butterfly. |
Ducbsa
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 07:59 pm: |
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Maybe not:
http://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/webshop/artikel.asp? guid=YXHFSC&aid=5693&cid=0&s=buellxb12gasklepas&a= &aname=Buell_XB912_04-07_43mm_Throttle_Body_shaft |
Greg_e
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 09:52 pm: |
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I do take some exception to them developing it, there was a lot of discussion on this very forum about ways to make it stronger and general design. I think you can get them for $75 here in the USA if I could remember who to contact. |
Milar
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2014 - 11:07 pm: |
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Pardon me if I'm incorrect, but wouldn't the 7 year parts thing be the same for any brand? I doubt Ducati still provides parts for a 900SS. Or Honda for a Hawk GT.
One might argue that a 1996 Buell would be easier to buy parts for than a 1996 Ducati since they are HD based. And the HD aftermarket is huge compared to Ducati. |
Brother_in_buells
| | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2014 - 05:42 pm: |
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I think you can get them for $75 here in the USA if I could remember who to contact.
Yes you have to contact Tootal,
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Phwx2
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 03, 2014 - 08:20 pm: |
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I owned a 63 triumph from 84 to 04 and was able to find parts, at a price. I own cars from the 1960's same deal. Still finding parts. If it really worries you. Watch the crashed bike sites and pick up a parts bike. Parts can be rebuilt. I have just had injectors rebuilt for a car w/ over 200k. Cost me much less than new and I got noticible improvement. Also, carb? Man I have had too many carbs in my life. Why not points, condenser, zeener diode.... |
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